Discord File Size Limits (2026)
| Account Type | File Limit | Video Length at 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 25 MB | ~30-45 seconds |
| Nitro Basic | 50 MB | ~1-2 minutes |
| Nitro | 500 MB | ~10-20 minutes |
Quick calculator: For 1080p gameplay at 4 Mbps bitrate: File size ≈ (seconds × 0.5 MB). A 50-second clip = ~25 MB.
Quick Compression Guide
1
HandBrake Method (Easiest)
- Download HandBrake (free from handbrake.fr)
- Open your video file
- Preset: Select "Discord" or use "Fast 1080p30"
- Video tab: Set RF (quality) to 24-26
- Click "Start Encode"
- Check output file size, adjust RF if needed
Result: 1-2 minute clips usually under 25 MB
2
FFmpeg Method (Advanced)
# For 25 MB limit (45 seconds at 1080p)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -crf 24 -preset fast \
-vf "scale=1920:-2" \
-c:a aac -b:a 96k \
output.mp4
# For Nitro 500 MB limit (higher quality)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -crf 20 -preset slow \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k \
output.mp4
Settings for Different Content Types
Gameplay / Action Footage
- Resolution: 1080p (1920×1080)
- Framerate: 30 fps (not 60—saves 40% space)
- Bitrate: 3-5 Mbps
- Codec: H.264
- Audio: 96 kbps AAC
Max length for 25 MB: ~40 seconds
ffmpeg -i gameplay.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 4M -r 30 -c:a aac -b:a 96k output.mp4
Screen Recordings / Tutorials
- Resolution: 1080p or 720p
- Framerate: 24-30 fps
- Bitrate: 2-3 Mbps (screen content compresses well)
- Codec: H.264
- Audio: 64-96 kbps
Max length for 25 MB: ~1 minute
ffmpeg -i screen.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 2.5M -r 24 -c:a aac -b:a 64k output.mp4
Memes / Short Clips
- Resolution: 720p (1280×720) or lower
- Framerate: 24-30 fps
- Bitrate: 1-2 Mbps
- Codec: H.264
- Audio: 64 kbps
Max length for 25 MB: ~2 minutes
ffmpeg -i meme.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 1.5M -vf "scale=1280:-2" -c:a aac -b:a 64k output.mp4
GIF to MP4 Conversion (Huge Savings)
GIFs are terribly inefficient. Converting to MP4 saves 80-95% file size:
GIF
15 MB
10 seconds, 480p
→
MP4
1.2 MB
92% reduction
# Convert GIF to MP4
ffmpeg -i animation.gif -movflags faststart -pix_fmt yuv420p -vf "scale=trunc(iw/2)*2:trunc(ih/2)*2" output.mp4
# Or with HandBrake: just open GIF and encode normally
Pro tip: Discord auto-plays MP4 files just like GIFs, but they're 10-20x smaller.
Two-Pass Encoding for Exact File Size
Need exactly 24.9 MB? Use two-pass encoding with calculated bitrate:
Calculate Target Bitrate
# Formula: (target_MB × 8192) / duration_seconds - audio_bitrate
# Example: 24 MB file, 60 seconds, 96 kbps audio
# (24 × 8192) / 60 - 96 = 3190 kbps video bitrate
Encode with Calculated Bitrate
# Pass 1
ffmpeg -y -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 3190k -pass 1 -an -f null /dev/null
# Pass 2
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 3190k -pass 2 -c:a aac -b:a 96k output.mp4
Troubleshooting
Problem: File is still too large
Solutions (in order of quality impact):
- Lower audio bitrate (128k → 96k → 64k)
- Reduce framerate (60fps → 30fps = 40% reduction)
- Lower resolution (1080p → 720p = 55% reduction)
- Trim video length (remove intro/outro)
- Increase CRF value (20 → 24 → 28)
Problem: Video quality is poor after compression
Solutions:
- Lower CRF (28 → 24 → 20) for better quality
- Use slower preset ("fast" → "medium" → "slow")
- If using bitrate mode, increase bitrate by 20-30%
- Don't compress already-compressed video (re-encoding degrades quality)
Problem: Discord won't upload the video
Causes and fixes:
- File too large: Check actual file size (right-click → Properties)
- Wrong format: Discord accepts MP4, MOV, WebM. Convert if needed
- Corrupted file: Re-encode with
-movflags faststart - Server limits: Some servers have lower limits—check server settings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Discord's file upload limit?
Free users: 25 MB per file
Nitro Basic: 50 MB per file
Nitro: 500 MB per file
These limits apply to all file types, not just videos. Server boosts don't increase upload limits.
Should I use 30 fps or 60 fps for Discord?
Use 30 fps for most content. It reduces file size by ~40% with minimal perceptible difference on Discord's compressed playback.
Use 60 fps only if:
- You have Discord Nitro (500 MB limit)
- Video is very short (under 10 seconds)
- High motion is critical (competitive gaming highlights)
How long can my video be for 25 MB?
Depends on resolution and content complexity:
- 1080p gameplay (4 Mbps): ~40-50 seconds
- 720p gameplay (2.5 Mbps): ~1 minute 20 seconds
- 1080p screen recording (2 Mbps): ~1 minute 40 seconds
- 480p meme (1 Mbps): ~3 minutes
Use our video file size calculator for precise estimates.
Can I upload longer videos to Discord?
Yes, several workarounds:
- Discord Nitro: $9.99/month for 500 MB uploads
- Upload to YouTube/Streamable: Post unlisted link in Discord
- Split video: Use FFmpeg to split into 25 MB chunks
- Use Discord CDN: Upload to Discord, copy link, post link in chat
Should I use H.264 or H.265 for Discord?
Always use H.264. Here's why:
- Discord's web/mobile player doesn't support H.265
- H.265 files may fail to play for some users
- H.264 is faster to encode (important for quick sharing)
H.265 offers better compression, but compatibility issues outweigh benefits for Discord.
How do I compress video on mobile?
iOS:
- Video Compressor: Free app, easy UI, good quality
- Shortcuts app: Create automation for batch compression
Android:
- Video Compressor Panda: Free, simple, effective
- VidCompact: More control over settings
Both platforms: Aim for 720p, 24-30 fps, and quality setting around 70-80%.